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Probable new Focus owner. Sedan or hatch?

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1rkRAGE

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So. I wrecked my Camry two weeks ago, and looking at a 2012 Focus. I originally fell in love with the new Fusion, but realized I needed to be more practical. And after looking around the past few weeks for a car under $15k, It looks like I love the looks and technology of the new Focus the best of all I've looked at. Ford's fronts have become pretty amazing!

So now, I've been heavily considering the hatchback SEL. It just screams sporty to me. The colors that I prefer right now are oxford white, Sterling Gray, and the dark blue metallic one. I figure I'm going to put new rims over the standard 16", but not until at least 6 months as I save for money.

While I was looking, I noticed that some of the sedans that are comparably specced to the hatchback SEL are priced lower, what gives? Should I consider the Sedan?
 
#2 · (Edited)
The sedan listed for around $795 less than the 5 door except on the Titanium where it was only about $495 more.

The sedan is 6.9" longer on the same wheel base, but due to its profile it has less cargo volume with the seats up or down.

The hatchback looks really nice to me, but so does the sedan. I have a hatch but if the wagon was available I might have considered this over the hatch.

The hatch is more practical, but they both drive roughly the same.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
ah. interesting. Thought the original pricing would be the opposite.

I know both look nice. Haven't owned a hatch before so I guess if i had to pick one I would choose the hatch just to be different.

my relatives had the top model mk2, and we've driven around on it for a couple of weeks before. so I think I won't find the hatch to be too foreign to me.

Hopefullyy the test drive i'm going to do this weekend would shed some light on this matter lol.
 
#4 ·
I have a 2013 hatch and the room in the back with the seats folded flat is amazing but it is mostly a style decision. While I liked the hatch more, you might like the sedan more. I believe I heard the sedan gets slightly better mpg but the chassis is slightly stiffer in the hatch due to all the structure in the back.
 
#5 ·
I went with the sedan for three reasons.

It was cheaper than the hatch.

Hatchbacks to me feel like the new generations version of a wagon and I dont want to drive a wagon.

I really dont need the extra space it would provide.
 
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#6 ·
F35-JSF said:
I went with the sedan for three reasons.

It was cheaper than the hatch.

Hatchbacks to me feel like the new generations version of a wagon and I dont want to drive a wagon.

I really dont need the extra space it would provide.
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The hatch isn't a "new" generation of wagon, the wagon does exist but its been barred from our shores in favor of the Escape instead.

But to each his or her own.
 
#7 ·
suss6052 said:
The sedan listed for around $795 less than the 5 door except on the Titanium where it was only about $495 more.

The sedan is 6.9" longer on the same wheel base, but due to its profile it has less cargo volume with the seats up or down.

The hatchback looks really nice to me, but so does the sedan. I have a hatch but if the wagon was available I might have considered this over the hatch.

The hatch is more practical, but they both drive roughly the same.
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I believe you have that backwards, the hatch was always more expensive than the sedan. The '13 Hatch SE is $1,000 more than the sedan.

If I didn't already have an SUV then that $1,000 extra for more cargo volume may have been worth it, but I do so the cheaper sedan worked for me.
 
#8 ·
kam327 said:
I believe you have that backwards, the hatch was always more expensive than the sedan. The '13 Hatch SE is $1,000 more than the sedan.

If I didn't already have an SUV then that $1,000 extra for more cargo volume may have been worth it, but I do so the cheaper sedan worked for me.
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Yes I meant the sedan was less, but that was a typo, which I've since corrected.

Yes they raised the price gap on the sedan and hatch on paper again to at or over $1k on all models including the titanium where it was originally cheaper than any other trim to jump from one to the other.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Thanks guys. I think I'm going for the hatchback after considering things. So even if it's more expensive I'll shell out the money for it.

hopefully a nearby dealer keeps a used white SEL in stock over the weekend.
 
#11 ·
1rkRAGE said:
Thanks guys. I think I'm going for the hatchback after considering things. So even if it's more expensive I'll shell out the money for it.

hopefully a nearby dealer keeps a used white SEL in stock over the weekend.
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One suggestion: if you have the VIN number of the SEL, go to etis.ford.com and enter it on the "vehicle" page. It will show you how the car is equipped and will also show what "fixes" are outstanding. In particular, if Field Service Action (FSA) 12b37 has not been done you may want to have it applied before you do your final test drive.

12b37 reprograms the DCT and is required to maintain the warranty. Most owners, including me, have found this update to be helpful but some have found the opposite.
 
#13 ·
dan50 said:
One suggestion: if you have the VIN number of the SEL, go to etis.ford.com and enter it on the "vehicle" page. It will show you how the car is equipped and will also show what "fixes" are outstanding. In particular, if Field Service Action (FSA) 12b37 has not been done you may want to have it applied before you do your final test drive.

12b37 reprograms the DCT and is required to maintain the warranty. Most owners, including me, have found this update to be helpful but some have found the opposite.
Click to expand...
Yeaahhh, I kinda wish I hadn't gotten the update despite having no issues because after thousands of miles of smooth operation it started acting up again right after the update. You may consider driving it for a while first and if you have no issues don't voluntarily get the update. I thought the notice said Ford "may" deny future warranty coverage if it can be shown the 12B37 update would have prevented the damage.
 
#14 ·
1rkRAGE said:
interesting. the model i'm looking at requires 12b37

Thanks a lot for the heads up. wouldn't have known otherwise.
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I'd also recommend that you look for a later build date, maybe something after November 2011.
 
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#15 ·
Id say take a nice long test drive and make sure you are confortable with the DCT so you're not regreting the purchase later.
 
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#17 ·
FocusOnMeNow said:
Agreed. People complain about the DCT because of its problems with the transmission. The slightest concern about it, dump it.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Xparent Blue FF Mobile
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I love my 2012* hatch but if i had to recommend anything, I'd say get a manual hatch that is used with ~10k miles. As noted on these forums, these cars have had a really swift depreciation. I think the sweet spot for parts is SE with sport package. That avoids the MFT or whatever the shitty electronics ford has added is called (sync or something).

*I have the standard DCT grinding complaint.
 
#18 ·
gkirk said:
I love my 2012* hatch but if i had to recommend anything, I'd say get a manual hatch that is used with ~10k miles. As noted on these forums, these cars have had a really swift depreciation. I think the sweet spot for parts is SE with sport package. That avoids the MFT or whatever the shitty electronics ford has added is called (sync or something).

*I have the standard DCT grinding complaint.
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The standard sync with myford system (SE 202A-203A/ SEL 300A/302A) is not nearly as bad as MFT in terms of stability, although it does still act up from time to time. Nothing that has required a fuse pull yet in my case. I prefer having the USB port over just an aux in jack, but it could desperately use a software update.

Ford needs to get a 6MT in the 2.0 L GDI Focus pronto, but it had better have at least the same top gear ratio as the DCT.

My DCT is well behaved so far with 7500+ miles on the clock, but had a manual had been available on the naturally aspirated Focus that didn't leave the engine spinning at right around 3000 rpm at 70 mph I might have gone with that.

I do tend to alternate between letting the car shift itself, or shifting on my own and leaving it in 6th when and where possible.
 
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